Cozinha Velha

Location:
Palácio Nacional de Queluz
Lisbon, Portugal

Restaurant Types:
Portuguese, International, Seafood

By Christopher Minster

When the Portuguese royal family was in residence at the Queluz palace, a small army of maids, cooks and servants attended to their every whim. There was, of course, full-time kitchen staff tasked with preparing multi-course gourmet meals, sometimes for important gatherings and visiting heads of state. The kitchen at the palace was therefore a grand affair, with impressive ovens and chimneys and marble pillars and stonework.

The palace is now a tourist attraction and the old servant quarters have been converted into an impressive hotel (Pousada Dona Maria). Likewise, the royal kitchen is now an internationally known restaurant with an elegant ambience serving traditional and new favorites. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more historic restaurant, and if the kitchen is good enough to feed kings and emperors, chances are you’ll find something you like.

The copper, brass, aged wood and cut stone ambience is unforgettable, but the service leaves a bit to be desired, especially at the price: waiters, perhaps too used to royal visitors, can be quite snooty when forced to wait on common folk.

Prices:
Lunch: Very expensive
Dinner: Very expensive

Credit cards accepted
Diners Club, American Express, Visa, MasterCard/Eurocard

Price Description: Most entrees run about €30. by the time you've added everything in, assume about €50 per person. open for lunch and dinner (after 7:30) only.

Dress Code: Formal

Reservation: Recommended

Getting There: Located in the queluz national palace

Park Options: Own parking lot

Contact Information:
Phone: 351 214 356 158
Fax: 351 214 362 234
E-mail: reservas.restaurantes(at)remove-this.pousadas.pt
URL: www.tapvictoria.com/Victoria-Programme/Earn-Miles/Restaurant/Cozinha-Velha.cfm